Watching the Watchmen

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The critically acclaimed comic series is getting the videogame treatment. We've seen it in action.

By Erik Brudvig

The Watchmen comic book series is hitting the silver screen in early 2009. At its side will be a videogame that puts players inside the alternate world where superheroes are real and vigilantism is a way of life. Just like the original graphic novel bucked trends, so will this game. Rather than looking to grab eyes on the store shelves when the blockbuster movie hits theaters, Watchmen is taking the digital distribution route through a series of episodic downloads. And though you might be used to downloadable games having visuals a step below what's expected out of a modern console, that won't be the case with this brawler.

The game serves as the prequel to the graphic novel/movie's story, which takes place in an alternate history of the 1980s. This game turns back the clock to 1972 to tell a brand new story. That would normally be a turn off to fans. Nothing could live up to the original, right? We only got a look at the gameplay so it's too early to say one way or another, but there is hope for this game to live up to the lofty expectations. The story is being written by Len Wein, a comic industry veteran and editor on the original Watchmen series. That tale will be told through a series of cutscenes between each level, which will play out as motion comics and be co-directed by Dave Gibbons, the illustrator responsible for Watchmen.

This action-brawler features the two masked vigilantes Rorschach and Nite Owl. Rorschach is a nasty fellow that wears a trench coat and an inkblot covered mask. He runs with his hands in his pockets, but when they come out they dish out the pain. This character is one that believes evil should be punished and so he is being built as a street fighter that attacks with a feral viciousness. Brutal (sometimes ball-crushing) finishing moves and a rage meter are his specialties, but if he finds a weapon lying on the ground, he isn't afraid to use it.

Nite Owl is somewhat of the antithesis of Rorschach. If you're not familiar with the Watchmen series, think of him like Batman. He uses gadgets like stun grenades, fights with a deep-rooted sense of justice and oftentimes prefers to disable foes rather than kill them. Rather than charging up a rage meter in the game like Rorschach, Nite Owl charges up shock armor to stun his enemies into submission. On occasion, you'll find him tapping out thugs for a finishing move rather than grinding their balls into the ground like Rorschach.

With a pair like this, the game screams for co-op. Of course, it's in. We were shown the offline co-operative mode (online is still TBD) in a split-screen format, though the game can also be played solo while the other vigilante is controlled by the game's AI.

As if the two personalities and different combat styles weren't enough, Deadline Games is also making the game look visually different based on who you are playing as. Through filters and post-processing effects, the game will have a darker, more foreboding look while you're playing as Rorschach to go along with his worldview. Though if the level we saw is any indication, even while playing as Nite Owl the game won't look too cheery. We got a look at a stage in NYC, filled with cool lighting effects that were made even cooler on the rain-slicked ground. While the two heroes made their way through the streets and alleyways, they punched, kicked and clawed their way to justice while the stylized blood flew in every direction. It's quite the looker for a game that is designed to be downloaded directly to your gaming rig.

Watchmen is being developed by Deadline Games, perhaps best known for the PSP game Chili Con Carnage, for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. The game, if you haven't guessed already, is targeting a Mature rating by the ESRB for the extreme amounts of violence, and the first episode is set to come out alongside the upcoming movie.